WITH eight recorded CDs and four original tracks to her name, Risa Moodley’s star will only continue to rise as one of her songs recently featured in a trailer for the international movie, The Switch Up.
The 19-year-old described the experience as surreal.
“I’m honestly still in shock that I am part of an American movie production, it’s overwhelming, but in the best way possible!” she beamed.
Dramatic arts was one of her subjects at high school and Moodley said that without being confined to a desk it opened up a space for learners to truly express themselves and provided the freedom to showcase their strengths and vulnerabilities.
Risa is a student at the Drisha Music Academy, the only school in Africa that is affiliated with the University Pracheen Kala Kendra in Chandigarth, India, through which she is studying towards an internationally recognised diploma course in Indian music. Her passion for music knows no bounds as she is also currently studying a BA in music at UKZN.
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“I’ve never studied western music before and I am finding ways to relate it to Indian music. It’s difficult,” she admitted, “but equally as enjoyable!”
Trained in Indian music from a young age, Moodley can now sing in Hindi, Tamil, Punjabi, Gujarati, Telugu, English and Zulu.
Her first big performance, at the age of six, saw her take the stage at Liberty Mall in Pietermaritzburg for the Miss India World Pageant.
She is a firm lover of pop music and Ariana Grande, Bruno Mars, Justin Bieber. She said her goal is to one day reach the level of stardom of these three stars.
Her long term dreams are to continue to perform internationally and, one day, make it overseas as a singer. Her manager, Maria Whatley, said there was nothing stopping her from becoming a triple threat by honing her acting and dancing craft.
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For the song featured in the movie trailer, Moodley spent four days in her room compiling a rough version of the track. She sings in English and, because there are so many Indian aspects in the film, she also wanted to add classical Indian elements to it.
“The movie is about these children who came from a poor background and how their whole lives have now changed and I really wanted the song to express that,” she said. “I am so excited to see what is going to happen going forward from this.”
The song, co-written by Moodley and her American agent, Whatley, was also composed by South Africa’s Avish Ramkissoon. Her agent is also the producer of the film. The Switch Up.
“Maria loves to incorporate different cultures into the work she does and is so patient and is very professional with how she works. She knew exactly what she wanted and it made the whole process so easy,” said Moodley. “A special thank you must go out to Maria for recognising me and for giving me this opportunity. To each person who has contributed or assisted me to get me to where I am, thank you.”
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